New diagnostic centre to open in Stockton-on-Tees

A new community diagnostic centre (CDC) is set to open in Stockton-on-Tees to provide quicker access to tests, checks and scans.

The new centre is set to open inside Castlegate shopping centre by winter 2023.

When fully operational, the centre will deliver up to 104,000 checks a year, including MRI scans; CT scans; ultrasound scans; cardiology; x-rays; blood tests and respiratory checks.

There are currently 134 approved CDCs, though only 89 are operational.

Health and social care secretary Steve Barclay said: "This new Community Diagnostic Centre will deliver up to 104,000 tests, checks and scans a year from January 2024 at the Castlegate shopping centre in Stockton-on-Tees. It will help thousands of local people get access to life-saving tests conveniently and have the treatment they need as easily as possible.

"CDCs are part of our plan to bust the Covid backlog and reduce waiting times, with over 2.7 million checks delivered through these new one-stop shops since July 2021. We’re on track to open up to 160 CDCs across the country by 2025 to perform up to nine million additional tests a year."

Phil Woolfall, clinical director for radiology at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said: "This is fantastic news for our population across the Tees Valley – this diagnostic centre will help make healthcare readily available for all.

"Having access to services including MRI scans and CT scans means patients can receive faster health checks outside of the hospital setting and closer to their homes.

"Diagnostic centres have already proven their effectiveness across the country – it’s something we and our partners believe is the right one for our population."

Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay